COOK'S CORNER : PEA SOUP A HEARTY MEAL ON RAINY DAY.

Byline: Marge Powers

Mary Shelemba of Arleta has been looking for a vegetarian split pea soup similar to the one served at Andersen's soup restuarant in Buellton. Three readers sent in recipes to share. M. Walker and Sally Shahan sent in identical recipes. Walker wrote that her pea soup recipe was clipped out of the newspaper many years ago. Shahan's recipe came off the back of a post card from Andersen's Valley Inn in Buellton, which she has kept for many years.

Cynthia Snedden sent along a recipe that she has been making for seven years in a slow cooker. It's one shared by one of her husband's co-workers.

Give these recipes a try. You're sure to find them comforting when it's cool outside.

ANDERSEN'S FAMOUS SPLIT PEA SOUP

(Shared by M. Walker, Granada Hills; Sally Shahan, Woodland Hills)

2 quarts water, preferably soft

2 cups green split peas 

1 stalk celery, coarsely chopped

1 large carrot, chopped

1 small onion, chopped

1/4 teaspoon thyme

Pinch cayenne pepper

1 bay leaf 

Salt and pepper 

In a soup pot, combine water, peas, celery, carrot, onion, thyme, cayenne, bay leaf and salt and pepper to taste.

Bring to a boil and continue to boil hard 20 minutes. Reduce heat and simmer 45 minutes. Strain or process in a blender until smooth. Makes 8 servings.

SPLIT PEA SOUP

(Shared by Cynthia Snedden, Santa Clarita)

1 cup dry split peas

1/2 cup (baby) lima beans

1/4 cup dry barley

8 cups water

2 medium onions, diced

2 carrots, diced

2 celery stalks, diced

2 medium potatoes, diced

2 bay leaves

1/2 teaspoon celery seeds

1/2 teaspoon paprika 

2 tablespoons parsley flakes

1 teaspoon dried basil

1/4 teaspoon black pepper OR more to taste

1/2 teaspoon white pepper

2 teaspoons garlic salt (optional)

Combine all ingredients in a 4-quart slow cooker. Cover.

Slow cook on high heat 4 hours. Makes 4 to 8 servings.

Can you help?

If you have a recipe that can help this reader, please send it along to us at the address below to share in a future column.

I am looking for a very old recipe for a rolled cookie or candy that is made with peanut butter, mashed potatoes and powdered sugar. The recipe was taught in cooking classes in some high schools.

- Steve Farlan

Glendale